by Karla Huntsman
When I was growing up, and even in my college years, before I answered a question in a classroom, I pre-planned exactly what I was going to say and when I answered, carefully followed the script in my head, little noting reactions of fellow class members. There was a great deal of tension in the whole process. I admired deeply those people who could seemingly formulate words and meaning as they spoke– those who seemed thoroughly at ease and comfortable in the present moment.
“How do they do that? “ I wondered.
When I discovered the world of theatre improvisation, I began to find answers. In improv, there is no time to be worried about what to say next, no time to be focused on personal issues, and no time to be lost in past or future events. Words and actions flow freely as a result of being thoroughly engaged in the present moment. As a result, a “flow state” is created.
Csikszentmihalyi (1990) describes this “flow state” as:
–a state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand and the situation. It is a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter — a feeling of great absorption, engagement, fulfillment, and skill. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you’re using your skills to the utmost.
We know as storytellers that being in the present moment during performance is essential to the craft. It is also indispensable in the creation process. Improvisation is a terrific tool for creating the “flow state” necessary for both performance and as a prelude to originating creative, inspired work.
Many people think improvisation can only be done in a group setting, but this is not so.
Before a performance or before originating a story piece, the following are a few improvisation techniques done alone which will create the “flow” state.
- Lay a stack of 20 pictures of characters (animals, unusual characters) on a table near you Begin to speak, using dialogue and voice of one of the characters. After a few seconds, switch to the next picture. Switch again. Keep switching, with no pre-planning of character dialogue and voice.
- Look at an object in the room. Begin talking about the object. Describe the object, talk about an experience you have had with the object, talk of the feelings you have for the object or simply talk of anything that randomly comes to mind when looking at the object. Keep talking for about 20 or 30 seconds, then move on to another object, and another and another. Keep talking. Don’t pre-plan. Let the “flow state” happen.
- Turn on the music and dance. Let your arms go, let your feet go. Don’t pre-plan moves. Just dance!
- Pick two characters and begin writing dialogue. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Do not stop for any reason. Keep going. Don’t censor.
- Sit in a chair in a room. You will be doing a scene between two characters. Shift in the chair or stand to denote different characters. Begin a conversation as one of the characters. Respond as the other. Continue the conversation for 20-30 seconds or longer. Choose two new characters and begin again. Make as great a difference in the two characters as possible:
one high voice, one low
one fast voice, one slow
one angry, one scared
one authoritative, one meek
(These exercises are adapted from Mick Napier’s wonderful book: Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out, 2004).
Just as story is the SEED OF CREATIVITY, so is the CREATIVE SPIRIT the seed of story. Improvisation is a wonderful way to access the inventive, present moment sensibilities essential for both performing and producing creative work.
About Karla
“If you don’t know the trees, you may be lost in the forest, but if you don’t know the stories you may be lost in life.”–Siberian Elder
Making meaning through story and theatre activities has been Karla’s life work. Before turning to freelance storytelling and drama specialist work, Karla spent over 25 years on the faculties of four universities teaching storytelling, drama education, public speaking and interpersonal communication. She has provided residencies, workshops, teacher in-services and conference presentations at state, national, and international venues.
Currently, Karla works as a professional teller, drama specialist and performer for the Las Vegas Improvisation Players. She sings, plays guitar, autoharp, washboard, and djembe drum as part of storytelling performances and uses puppetry for younger children.